CLEVELAND — Jeremy Sochan’s Transition with the Knicks

Jeremy Sochan’s adjustment to the Knicks hasn’t exactly been seamless. He’s currently working on getting back into game shape and building rapport with his new teammates.

Still, he believes things will improve. “This is a process. This is my fourth game here,” Sochan shared during an interview. “So we figure it out. We’ll be fine.”

In the first half of the Knicks’ 109-94 loss to the Cavaliers, Sochan played just two brief minutes, remaining scoreless until the game’s final moments.

Sochan, who joined the team as a free agent during the All-Star break, was given a chance by Coach Mike Brown to evaluate his fit before the playoffs. However, in the third quarter, Sochan’s stint was cut short as newcomer Mohamed Diawara took his place. Diawara was performing better before Sochan signed, but he struggled during the game, missing three out of four attempts from beyond the arc.

“This is my first time adapting to a different situation,” Sochan noted, referencing his prior full season with the Spurs. “So it’s going to take some time to figure it out. The game wasn’t going well overall. So… ups and downs. But I’m happy and excited to be here. I really think I can contribute to this team.”

So far, Sochan’s played four games, averaging just one point and one rebound in about 7.5 minutes each. “I think it’s just learning how everyone wants to play, the team’s atmosphere, and so on,” he said about the adjustments he’s making. “Learning the playbook is pretty straightforward for me, but understanding the players’ tendencies—what they like and dislike—is key. Both offense and defense.”

Fitness has been another challenge for Sochan, as he spent most of the season sitting out with the Spurs. “I thought it was a bit better than Chicago. But honestly, there’s no real way to set the tone for your game,” he said. “After a few games, you’ll start to feel better.”

Kenny Atkinson and the Cavaliers’ Focus

Kenny Atkinson isn’t focused on defeating the Knicks in the playoffs. Instead, the top-seeded Cavaliers are preparing for the Celtics, hoping to avoid a repeat of last year’s surprise loss to the Pacers in the second round.

“You have to be careful. Last year, we were fixated on Boston, but we got Indiana,” Atkinson commented. “We need to win against Boston, but as a head coach, I keep an eye on teams like the Knicks and Boston, and even the Pistons. It’s a mistake to concentrate on just one team. The roulette wheel could land on another.”

At the start of the season, the Knicks and Cavs were considered favorites for the East Division. However, by late February, the Pistons and Celtics unexpectedly rose to become the top two seeds.